The New York Times reports In all, 22 animals and one plant should be declared extinct and removed from the endangered species list, federal wildlife officials announced on Wednesday. Read more at Protected Too Late: U.S. Officials Report More Than 20 Extinctions
Protected Too Late: U.S. Officials Report More Than 20 Extinctions — Natural History Wanderings
South Africa observes the “National Invasive Species Week” in October annually. Hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the campaign focuses on creating awareness among the South African public about the threats non-native species pose to our ecosystems. In this edition of de Wets Wild, we’ll be focusing on a handful of […]
Introduced Bird Species in South Africa — de Wets Wild
From National Audubon Earlier this year, a federal rule dramatically weakened the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), our nation’s most important bird protection law. Under the weakened law, companies are no longer liable for preventable bird deaths from industrial hazards. For example, if this policy had been in place in 2010, BP would have faced […]
Urge Congress to Support the Migratory Bird Protection Act — Natural History Wanderings
Audubon reports In a new report, experts ruled out a range of causes, but they still recommend taking down feeders until the source of the disease is identified. Removing bird feeders has been shown to dramatically curb House Finch eye disease outbreaks. Cleaning bird baths and feeders regularly also prevents salmonella growth. Assuming the mystery pathogen […]
Scientists Still Searching for the Pathogen Behind the East’s Songbird Epidemic — Natural History Wanderings
Crithagra atrogularis The Black-throated Canary is a timid and inconspicuous seed-eating bird inhabiting open and dry grasslands and savannas, usually near a reliable source of water. They forage mainly on the ground and, in addition to seeds, will also feed on flowers, nectar and soft-bodied insects. Black-throated Canaries may breed throughout the year, but there’s […]
Black-throated Canary — de Wets Wild
NPR writes about tips on starting to watch birds There is no “right” or “correct” way to observe birds. You can enjoy them however you like! Maybe you’re doing the dishes, you spot a Northern Mockingbird outside of your kitchen window, and you pause to appreciate it — that’s birding! Maybe you’re taking a moment […]
Birding Basics: What You Need To Know To Start Bird Watching — Natural History Wanderings
Dendropicos griseocephalus Despite being a common bird in its preferred montane forest habitat, the Olive Woodpecker is secretive and doesn’t spend much time in the open, preferring to forage in dense leaf cover in the canopies of the forest trees. They feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates discovered while pecking behind bark and probing […]
Olive Woodpecker — de Wets Wild
Golden Gate Audubon reports This week the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service designated 24,527 acres along the Pacific Coast as critical habitat for endangered Western Snowy Plovers — an important step towards ensuring the species’ recovery and ultimate survival. The FWS action ends several years of legal conflict over how much land would be designated […]
Good news on Snowy Plover habitat — Natural History Wanderings
from Audubon A crafty way to help local birds Native plants are a great way to make your yard attractive to birds as well as to add beauty to your everyday life. But why stop there? There are many fun and easy DIY projects that will make your space even more welcoming to birds. For […]
Help The Birds – Build a Birdbath — Natural History Wanderings
European common swifts winter in central and southern Africa before migrating north in spring Swifts are even more swift than scientists thought, with new tracking technology showing the migrating birds cover an average of 570 kilometres (354 miles) per day, 70 kilometres more than previously estimated. New tracking data also recorded one individual travelling 830 […]
Weekly round-up: May 23 — biodiversitynews.org
